Continuous wire means for electrically grounding or charging insulation coated chain link fabric

Abstract

The invention is an improved method for the electrical grounding of insulation coated chain link fabric that is usually used for fences or similar enclosures. The invention provides a continuous wire at the top or bottom, or both, edges of the erected fabric that electrically connects each of the insulation coated wires which make up the fabric. The continuous wire is then grounded at intervals along the length of the fence or enclosure and thus effectively electrically grounds the fabric. Numerous variations in the configuration of the wire are included in the embodiments for accomplishing the grounding.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrically interconnected chain link fabric structure and grounding means therefor, comprising: a chain link fabric formed of a plurality of individual helix type wires each composed of a metallic core covered with electrical insulating material, adjacent wires being interengaged at points along their lengths and being coupled together at their ends;   a continuous conductive wire connection means electrically and serially connecting all of the individual wires of said chain link fabric to form a continuous conductive wire system, said continuous conductive wire connection means being an elongated metal member having a plurality of peripherally spaced, longitudinally extending barbs formed integrally therewith, each barb being substantially coextensive in length with said metal member and defining an elongate knife edge, said metal member being specifically located for contacting the metallic cores of said individual wires of said chain link fabric, said plurality of barbs penetrating said insulating material of said individual wires of said chain link fabric and making metal to metal contact with the metallic cores of said individual wires of said chain link fabric; and   a grounding means electrically connected to said continuous conductive wire system for discharging said continuous conductive wire system.   
     
     
       2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated metal member is a metal wire. 
     
     
       3. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated metal member is a metal strip. 
     
     
       4. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the couplings at the ends of adjacent helix wires are formed by twisting together the ends of adjacent helix wires, and wherein said continuous conductive wire connection means is specifically located to be enclosed within each of said twisted ends. 
     
     
       5. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the couplings at the ends of adjacent helix wires are looped knuckle connections joining adjacent helix wires, and wherein said continuous conductive wire connection means is specifically located to be enclosed within each of said looped knuckle connections. 
     
     
       6. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein each said barb is formed with serrations along its length. 
     
     
       7. The combination as recited in claim 1, and further including a plurality of spaced, upright supports, said chain link fabric structure being stretched between said supports and fastened thereto so as to constitute a fence, and said grounding means comprises at least one ground connection electrically connected to said continuous conductive wire system at a point along the length of said chain link fabric and terminating in the earth to ground the entire fence. 
     
     
       8. An electrically interconnected chain link fabric structure and charging means therefor, comprising: a chain link fabric formed of a plurality of individual helix type wires each composed of a metallic core covered with electrical insulating material, adjacent wires being interengaged at points along their lengths and being coupled together at their ends;   a continuous conductive wire connection means electrically and serially connecting all of the individual wires of said chain link fabric to form a continuous conductive wire system, said continuous conductive wire connection means being an elongated metal member having a plurality of peripherally spaced, longitudinally extending barbs formed integrally therewith, each barb being substantially coextensive in length with said metal member and defining an elongate knife edge, said metal member specifically located for contacting the metallic cores of said individual wires of said chain link fabric, said plurality of barbs penetrating said insulating material of said individual wires of said chain link fabric and making metal to metal contact with the metallic cores of said individual wires of said chain link fabric; and   means connected to said continuous conductive wire system for charging said continuous conductive wire system, said means for charging being located near said chain link fabric structure and being electrically connected thereto by a conductive wire.   
     
     
       9. The combination as recited in claim 8, and further including a plurality of spaced, upright supports, said chain link fabric structure being stretched between said supports and fastened thereto so as to constitute a fence; said fence, when charged by said charging means, serving as a security fence.